In August 2016 during the NFL season one man decided to sit during the national anthem. His actions sparked mixed reactions from all different kinds of media outlets, and the protests of the NFL reflect a microcosm of the problems of our country at hand. There is no denying that politics tend to become two sided with Democrats and Republicans voicing their opinions loudly and with a sense of infallibility. The demonstrations were started by an African-American quarterback in Colin Kaepernick and is fundamental in analyzing the situations of the protests. African-Americans have faced discrimination since the foundation of the country and continue to strive for equality and justice in society. The protests that were started were bold. He willingly …show more content…
Peaceful protest in sports have also become common in the past 2-3 years. While not a new idea, the popularity and attractiveness of peaceful protesting during sporting events came along when San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a seat during the playing of the national anthem during a preseason game in 2016. Immediately, photos of him surfaced on social media spots like Twitter and Facebook, and he grasped the limelight of media attention after he addressed the media after the game. After this, he would go on to take a knee during games going forward, and eventually wound up getting cut from the team, and currently is out of a job in the NFL. The reason for Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem was that he wasn’t going to stand for a country that was discriminatory, particularly against African-Americans regarding police brutality. He now has his name up with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Tommie Smith, etc, all African-American athletes who held peaceful …show more content…
Only 33% of the African-American community believe that police do an “excellent or good job in their community” when in comes to using the correct amount of force in their encounters with citizens (Pew Research Center). As for the complexity of the situation, most people agree that their sentiments toward police fuel their opinions when it comes to attitudes towards protesting (Pew). As for my passion toward the topic, I believe that hateful sentiments towards police are detrimental for the country, regardless of race or political beliefs. I also believe that kneeling during the national anthem disrespects people who serve in the armed forces, regardless of whether that is the intention or
Following recent cases of police brutality and racial oppression, many public figures are taking it upon themselves to stand against the issues. In this matter, Colin Kaepernick has been in the spotlight since his protest during a preseason game in August, where he took a knee during the National Anthem. In the articles “The Colin Kaepernick Effect; Another Athlete Stands Up For Social Issues” by LA Watts Times Sports Writer, Amanda Scurlock and “Colin Kaepernick’s Critics Called Him an Idiot. Who’s the Idiot Now?” by Slate Executive Director, Josh Levin, the authors talk about how Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protest has had many positive and negative backlash. Kaepernick has received much support from not only his fans, but also people such
In the face of inequality and race, one man has expressed his rights more than others and that man was Colin Kaepernick. Kaleem (2016) says while Kaepernick set the national debate about race on a course with many of the other worlds problems, his stance on the national anthem has sparked controversial conflict among people of color and people of a different race. Next, almost no one seems to be aware that even if the U.S were a perfect country today, it would be bizarre to expect African-American players to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Why? Because it literally celebrates the murder of African-Americans. Furthermore, people keep asking the question about what freedom is and how it can be defined, and with Kaepernick, he kneeled for something that is being looked at as patriotic but some may argue that it’s a disgrace. Kaleem
On August 27, 2016, Steven Wyche, a media reporter for the National Football League, wrote a story about San Francisco Forty-Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Kaepernick’s choice in acting on a movement to oppose racial discrimination of minorities. Wyche’s story was published through the NFL for the public eye to view. Kaepernick has been refusing stand for the national anthem. Not only does Wyche cover Kaepernick’s controversial actions, but Wyche takes a stand for Kaepernick himself.
After calling all athletes who kneeled during the National Anthem cruel names, not only did more kneelers appear, but the standing teammates linked arms showing unity. Their reason may not’ve been only to protest on racial injustice, but to rebel against Donald Trump and show that this is their right. Various people, including President Trump, think that every athlete who has kneeled should be fired because they should not be able to protest in such a disrespectful way. It’s not only fans who find this protest wrong, but even some players do, including Drew Brees. Brees says he agrees with the context of the protest, but not the actions of it stating, "[I]t's an oxymoron that you're sitting down, disrespecting that flag that has given you the freedom to speak
For many years, America continues to have a strong and powerful pride for law enforcement, because they protect many people. However, Colin Kaepernick represents the minorities that don’t have a chance to speak their thoughts. During the last preseason game, Kaepernick remained seated during The Star-Spangled Banner, because of racial discrimination. Although many people disagree with his protest, the author also believed his actions had a meaningful cause, which didn’t harm himself or anyone else. Many Americans were able to see his message about discrimination.
Lately, everyone has seen or commented on Kaepernick kneeling the National Anthem. There are non-supporters like Stephen Duncombe defines Kaepernick protest as “Ethical Spectacle, [a] strategic use of a symbol, sign or gesture to seek a cultural shift” (Jenkins). Supporters like Mat Bonesteel of The Washington Post states “[Kaepernick] protest could have sparked needed conversations on … subjects: [such as] on the treatment of black Americans… on patriotism’s place in society; on the importance of symbols” (Gass). Colin Kaepernick should continue kneeling because he shows patriotism, awareness on subjects like freedom of speech. Also, the difficult African Americans has protesting for equalities.
When I was told to pick a topic that was problematic and related to civil disobedience, I immediately thought of an event that got more media coverage than anything else in August of 2016. Headlines resembling phrases like “Disrespect to Our Great Nation”, “Black Lives Matter Advocate Crosses Line”, and “Footballer Disrespects Military”. Other headlines included ones like “Football Player Takes a Stand by Taking a Knee”, and “NFL Player Uses Platform for Social Justice”. The national anthem in sports has traditionally been known and characterized with celebrities, and elaborate performances. However, in August of 2016 Colin Kaepernick changed that by taking a knee in protest for the mistreatment and oppression of people of color. Initially,
Issues of racial injustices have been a problem in the United States throughout generations. Athletes have always had their opinions on racial issues and have never seemed to hesitate to speak their mind. Recently Colin Kaepernick has been sitting out of the National Anthem to protest for “black lives matter.” The representation of race in the Article, Tommie Smith, iconic 1968 Olympics activist, defends Colin Kaepernick’s protest, by Nancy Armour, is a modern way to protest the racial injustices our country has been facing. Colin Kaepernick is simply standing up for what he believes in. It’s easy to say that he’s even following in the shoes of Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Smith, and Carlos in their stances on racial issues. Critics of Colin
Taking A Knee is a protest against racial injustice and discrimination of color. The movement began in August of 2016, when NFL star quarterback remained seated during the national anthem at a preseason game. When later questioned, he said that he would not stand for a country that allowed this horrifying discrimination against black and biracial people to continue. “I’m not going to stand under a flag or show pride in a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” (Colin Kaepernick) Eventually, he began kneeling instead of sitting, so that he could express his humble respect for the flag, but still continue his protestations. Soon after, his teammate Eric Reid joined him in
But most of us don 't want to play sports, it’s too hard and not worthy of all the work that goes in. We only want to participate in the important part, the games. Every Sunday and Monday night during football season, we superior white people gather around our all powerful 60” TVs and watch the black people bash their heads into each other. We care so much about the game and what it gets for us, that we don 't care about the hardships that the players go through to be able to provide that entertainment for us. It is all about the entertainment that the black players give
Kneeling in the NFL during National Anthem NFL ratings are massively down from last year, and they keep dropping. Fans are burning jerseys and are refusing to watch games. Fans are being encouraged by an angry President to walk out of stadiums. All of this is happening in the NFL because of players kneeling during the National Anthem before their games.
Some NFL teams even were involved in the “Take a Knee” Movement for reasons like these starting in 2016. Though these things are happening in our country, it doesn't mean we aren’t working on them and supporting them in turn. That also doesn’t mean our country is in the right spot, or can’t improve in the future. By working together towards positive change and standing united, we can strive for a better future for all and respect America. While social issues should be discussed and everyone is entitled to exercise their freedom of speech, we can’t forget who paved the way for us to have those freedoms in the first place (“The
To stand or not to stand is the question that has been presented to every United States citizen in response to the decision to kneel during the national anthem by former NFL San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. However, there is more than what meets the eye in terms of the effects of Kaepernick's actions. Kaepernick decision to kneel was rooted in protest of racial injustices along with recent and past events of police brutality. While many find that Kaepernick's actions are justified and even legal, others believe that it is disrespectful towards this nation and could even be illegal, the real problem here is the tension and division that is deepening the divide in a nation that prides itself on being united. While Kaepernick's
“I truly respect our players wanting to speak out and change the community. We want them to use that voice,” stated NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, praising what he called a “movement of protest to progress”. Colin Kaepernick was a San Francisco 49ers quarterback when he started this protest in August of 2016. He was protesting the unfair and harsh treatment of people of color from police. Kaepernick started by sitting on the bench during the national anthem, but his protest went unnoticed until Kaepernick later changed to kneeling on the sideline during the song which gained much more attention.
Is Kneeing the New way of Protest How come Donald Trump and others criticize football players for protesting, while others praise them? Some may say these athletes are being disrespectful, however this is not the case. Athletes use their platform of protest as a way to speak out for what they believe in. This is a peaceful protest. There has been no violence.